Computer Jargon

P

PageA webpage is an HTML document, or website.

Password

Your password is the key to your dial-up and email account so choose something that is unique but also memorable. If your password is not accepted check that the Caps lock key has not been accidentally pressed, as passwords are case sensitive.

Peer-to-peer (also known as P2P)

A type of internet network that allows a group of computer users with the same networking computer program to connect with each other and directly access files from one another's hard drives. Sharing copyrighted files in this way is illegal, while P2P is also responsible for the spread of many viruses.

PING

Ping - a program for determining if another computer is presently connected to the internet.

Pixel

Short for picture element - the smallest unit of resolution on a monitor. Commonly used as a unit of measurement.

Plug-InA small application which extends the built in capabilities of your web browser. Examples include Macromedia's Shockwave, providing animation, and Real Audio, offering streamed sound files over the internet.

POP

Post Office Protocol - a method of storing and returning email.

Portal

A portal is a website that is designed to lead you to other websites that contain information you are interested in. The Supanet website is a good example of a portal, as it leads you to a wide range of other websites and pages that are divided into convenient categories.

Post

To send a message to a mailing list or newsgroup.

ProviderAn Internet Service Provider, or ISP (for example, Supanet).

QuickTime

A common video file format created by Apple Computer. Video files found on the internet are often stored in the QuickTime format - they require a special viewer program for playback.

R

Real Audio/Real Video

Real Networks was one of the first companies to develop new audio and video formats for use on the internet, and many websites now carry material in either Real Audio or Real Video format. You need the RealPlayer program to play these files, but you can download it free of charge.

Right-click

To press once, and release, the button on the right-hand side of the mouse.

Robot

A program that automatically searches the web for files.

S

Search Engine

A tool for searching information on the internet by topic. Popular engines include Google and Ask Jeeves.

Server

Within a network, a server makes files available to client programs located on other computers when requested. Your web browser is a client of a web server.

Shareware

Software distributed freely, but with certain conditions applying to it. Either the software is released on a trial basis only, and must be registered after a certain period of time, or in other cases no support can be offered with the software without registering it. In some cases direct payment to the author is required.

Signature

The automatic addition of a few lines of text at the foot of an email. Usually consists of the sender's email address, full name and other details.

Site

A single or collection of related webpages.

Smileys

Characters often used in news messages, emails and on web pages to offer some degree of character or emotion. For example :-). Also known as emoticons.

SMTP

Simple Mail Transfer Protocol - a protocol dictating designed to allow the delivery of mail messages to internet users.

Spam

The internet equivalent of direct mail; someone sends multiple, sometimes thousands, of unwelcome messages to promote a commercial product or website.

Streaming

Streaming audio or video files start playing as soon as you start to download them, rather than having to download the entire file first. You need a high-speed broadband connection to stream audio and video properly as an ordinary modem isnt fast enough.

Surfing

A popular term used to describe someone exploring the web.

T

Taskbar

The bar in the Windows operating system that typically runs across the bottom of the screen. It displays the Start button, any programs or windows that are active, plus tiny 'shortcut' icons as well as the time.

Text-box

A box into which text can be typed.

ThreadAn ongoing message-based conversation on a single subject.

Trojan

A Trojan is a computer program, or part of a programs code, that disguises itself as a useful software application that is used to gain access, or change settings on your computer. It takes its name after the Trojan horse used to infiltrate Troy.